Committed to Your Pet’s
Healthiest & Happiest Life
Wellness Exams
A wellness exam is a comprehensive, nose-to-tail physical examination designed to assess your pet’s overall health and identify concerns early — often before symptoms are visible at home.
What We Evaluate
During a routine wellness visit, we evaluate:
- Weight and body condition score
- Heart and lung function
- Oral health and dental disease
- Eyes and ears
- Skin and coat quality
- Joint mobility and muscle condition
- Abdominal palpation to assess internal organs
- Lymph nodes and overall systemic health
We also review diet, behavior and anxiety, lifestyle, parasite prevention, and vaccination status. This is an opportunity to discuss subtle changes you may have noticed — appetite shifts, mobility concerns, behavior differences, or anything that feels “not quite right.”
What's Typically Included
For many pets, wellness visits also include:
- Vaccine updates
- Parasite screening
- Preventive laboratory testing
- Medication refills
- Skin and coat quality
- Nutritional guidance
Wellness exams are not just for “shots.” They are one of the most important tools we have for early disease detection. Many chronic conditions — kidney disease, thyroid disease, heart disease, arthritis — begin with subtle changes that can be identified during routine evaluation.
Vaccination Recommendations
For Dogs
Rabies
Distemper/Parvovirus (DA2PP/DHPP)
Leptospirosis
Lyme Disease
Bordetella
We individualize every vaccine plan. Our goal is appropriate protection based on risk — not a one-size-fits-all schedule.
For Cats
Rabies
FVRCP
FeLV
Online Pharmacy Options
When prescriptions cannot be picked up through our in-house pharmacy, we encourage clients to use our integrated online pharmacy. Our online pharmacy connects directly to your pet’s medical record, allowing us to monitor prescriptions accurately, track refills appropriately, and reduce delays. Because it portals into our system, it minimizes communication errors and helps ensure medications are dispensed and delivered promptly and correctly.
In many cases, our pricing is often lower than large third-party retailers. National retailers such as Chewy have significant marketing visibility, which can make pricing appear more attractive at first glance. However, when comparing final cost, shipping, and manufacturer-backed guarantees, our online pharmacy is frequently more affordable.
When prescriptions are requested through outside pharmacies that are not integrated with our system, the process becomes more manual and time-intensive. Long hold times, missed calls, and transcription errors can delay treatment and increase the risk of miscommunication.
For most medications and preventives, we utilize Covetrus through our online platform. For compounded medications, we work with only reputable compounding pharmacies that follow strict quality standards, including Wedgewood Pharmacy, Stokes Pharmacy, and Mixlab. We will always provide written prescriptions upon request and encourage clients to compare options. Our goal is quick, stress-free medication options.
Parasite Prevention
Choosing a Prevention Strategy
Multiple effective parasite prevention products are available. We do not endorse one single product over another — several strategies work well when used consistently and correctly. We are happy to discuss options and help you choose an approach that fits your pet’s lifestyle and your comfort level. It is important to note that some homeopathic and certain over-the-counter products do not contain active ingredients proven to provide reliable protection.
For Cats
Parasite prevention for cats is based on lifestyle. Indoor cats can still be exposed to fleas and infectious agents carried into the home. Cats that are active hunters are at higher risk for intestinal parasites such as tapeworms. Outdoor cats are at increased risk for fleas, intestinal parasites, and zoonotic infections like ringworm. Routine prevention, deworming, and screening are strongly recommended for these pets. Kittens require routine deworming during early development.
For Dogs
Heartworm Prevention
Monthly heartworm prevention is recommended year-round for all dogs. Treatment for heartworm disease is lengthy, uncomfortable, and significantly more expensive than prevention. Most monthly heartworm preventives also function as broad-spectrum dewormers, protecting against common gastrointestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms — parasites that can affect both pets and people. Annual heartworm testing is required for these prescription medications, even when prevention has been given consistently.
Tick Prevention
Routine Fecal Screening and Deworming
Dental Care
Your pet’s oral hygiene can reveal a lot about their overall health. Bedford Animal Hospital provides comprehensive pet dentistry services, including dental cleanings, x-rays, and tooth extractions.
We’ll examine your pet’s oral cavity for signs of gum disease and other health care issues. We’ll also help you develop better oral hygiene practices to maintain your pet’s health and wellness.
Nutrition Support & Dietary Planning
There Is No One "Right" Diet
The “right” diet is not one-size-fits-all. We support a wide range of feeding approaches, including commercial kibble, fresh prepared or frozen diets, and home-cooked diets. Our role is to help guide choices in a way that supports your pet’s individual health needs, lifestyle, and medical conditions.
Individualized, Calorie-Based Nutrition Plans
Our Approach to Dog Nutrition
Our Approach to Cat Nutrition
Raw Diets
Certified Nutrition Support
We recommend the Pet Nutrition Alliance website as a reliable, evidence-based resource for pet owners to better understand how many calories a pet actually needs, how to evaluate diets beyond marketing claims, and why portion size matters more than volume.
Laboratory Testing
We offer comprehensive in-house and reference laboratory testing to support early detection, accurate diagnosis, and thoughtful medical monitoring. Our diagnostic capabilities include full blood panels, which evaluate organ function, red and white blood cell counts, electrolytes, and overall metabolic health.
Expanded In-House Capabilities
We have significantly expanded our in-house laboratory capabilities, allowing for more timely results and faster clinical decision-making. In-hospital testing now includes:
- Complete blood counts (CBC)
- Comprehensive chemistry panels
- Urinalysis testing
- Tickborne illness and heartworm screening
- Thyroid function testing
- In-house cortisol testing for adrenal disease evaluation
- Advanced microscopy for cytology and parasite identification
- Holter monitoring for extended cardiac rhythm assessment
These expanded capabilities allow us to diagnose and monitor many conditions more efficiently without unnecessary delays.
Wellness & Advanced Screening
We also offer wellness screening panels designed to establish baseline values in healthy pets and identify subtle trends over time. Early detection often allows for earlier intervention, sometimes before clinical signs are apparent at home. For pets with specific medical concerns, we provide advanced diagnostics including allergy testing, endocrine testing, infectious disease screening, and cancer screening panels when appropriate. More specialized testing is performed through trusted veterinary reference laboratories to ensure depth and accuracy.
Advanced Imaging
We have significantly expanded our imaging capabilities to provide more comprehensive diagnostics within our hospital. In addition to our full digital radiology suite, we offer digital dental radiology, allowing us to evaluate tooth roots, bone loss, and hidden dental disease that cannot be seen on visual examination alone. We also work closely with boarded radiology specialists who are available for consultation and interpretation of complex imaging studies when needed.
Ultrasound
We have added updated ultrasound equipment to provide improved point-of-care imaging for basic abdominal assessments. This allows us to evaluate certain conditions more quickly and efficiently during appointments, especially when evaluating urinary issues. For full abdominal or thoracic ultrasound studies requiring advanced imaging protocols, these are performed through our visiting boarded specialists to ensure the highest level of expertise.
In-House Specialty Services
While we are a general practice, we are able to provide select advanced services within our hospital through visiting, board-certified specialists. These services include:
- Cardiology consultations and echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) with a boarded cardiologist
- Abdominal/thoracic ultrasounds and endoscopic procedures with a boarded internal medicine specialist
- Advanced soft tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures with a boarded veterinary surgeon
For these services, traveling veterinary specialists come directly to our practice to perform your pet’s procedure. They communicate their findings with our team, and we review results and recommendations with you to ensure continuity of care.
Not every case is suited for in-hospital specialty management. When referral to a 24-hour specialty center is in your pet’s best interest, we will guide you through that process and coordinate care accordingly.
Soft Tissue Surgery
We perform a wide range of soft tissue surgical procedures within our hospital. Every surgery is approached thoughtfully, with careful planning, modern anesthesia protocols, and comprehensive pain management.
Common Procedures
Common procedures performed at our hospital include:
- Spaying and neutering
- Mass removals and biopsy procedures
- Limb amputations
- Cherry eye repair
- Cystotomies (bladder stone removal)
- Select abdominal surgeries
- Aural hematoma repair
- Enucleation (eye removal)
- Eyelid corrective surgery
- Oral surgery and extractions
- Mastectomy (mammary gland removal)
Not every case is appropriate for routine in-hospital management. When a procedure would benefit from advanced specialization, we may coordinate with one of our traveling board-certified specialists to perform the surgery at our hospital. In other situations, referral to a 24-hour specialty center may be recommended.
Anesthesia and Pain Management
All soft tissue procedures are performed under general anesthesia with continuous monitoring, including heart rate, oxygenation, CO2 monitoring, blood pressure, temperature, and ventilation. Pre-anesthetic laboratory testing is required. We utilize multimodal pain management for every surgical patient. Anesthesia often begins at home with a combination of light pain and calming medications given the morning of surgery and continued after the procedure. This approach reduces anxiety, allows us to use lower levels of anesthetic medications, and contributes to a smoother and safer experience overall.
The Day of Surgery
Recovery and Discharge
Spaying and Neutering
Anesthesia & Monitoring
All spay and neuter procedures are performed under general anesthesia with full monitoring, including heart rate, oxygenation, CO2 monitoring, blood pressure, and temperature. Pre-anesthetic laboratory testing is required. We utilize multimodal pain management for every surgical patient. Anesthesia typically begins at home with light pain and calming medications given the morning of surgery and continued after the procedure.
What Else Can Be Done While Under Anesthesia
For pets being hospitalized for surgery, we require current fecal screening and certain core vaccinations. Whenever possible, we use this surgical event as an opportunity to address additional concerns while your pet is safely anesthetized. This often includes:
- Microchipping for permanent identification
- Removal of retained deciduous (baby) teeth
- Umbilical hernia repair
- Evaluation and correction of other minor congenital or developmental concerns
Combining procedures under a single anesthetic event reduces overall stress, lowers cumulative anesthesia exposure, and is often more cost-effective than performing them separately.
The Day of Surgery & Recovery
Drop-off is scheduled in the morning and typically takes about 15 minutes. Pets are monitored throughout the day and provided food and water once fully awake and stable. Pick-up is typically scheduled in the afternoon — we do not provide overnight hospitalization for routine spay and neuter procedures. Most pets recover very well. The hardest part of recovery is usually the cone, which must be worn consistently for 10–14 days to protect the incision.
Acupuncture
Veterinary acupuncture is a medical therapy used to help manage pain, improve mobility, support healing, and enhance quality of life. At Bedford Animal Hospital, acupuncture is practiced as part of an evidence-based strategy and is used alongside diagnostics, medications, rehabilitation, and other therapies. Our approach is rooted in modern anatomy, neurophysiology, and clinical research.
A Brief History of Acupuncture
What Makes Our Approach Different?
While acupuncture originated within Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), our hospital practices evidence-based veterinary acupuncture (EVBA). This uses acupuncture points based on anatomic, neurologic, and myo-fascial pathways; focuses on measurable physiologic effects; is fully integrated into conventional veterinary medicine; and is guided by diagnosis, imaging, lab work, and clinical response. Acupuncture for us is a medical tool, not an alternative philosophy — allowing it to complement rather than replace conventional veterinary care.
Conditions We Commonly Treat
What to Expect During an Acupuncture Visit
How Many Treatments Will My Pet Need?
Is Acupuncture Right for Your Pet?
Photobiomodulation (Laser Therapy)
Laser therapy — also called photobiomodulation — is a gentle, non-invasive treatment we use to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and support tissue healing. Sessions are calm and comfortable, and most pets relax during treatment.
How Laser Therapy Works
Conditions We Commonly Treat with Laser Therapy
- Osteoarthritis and chronic joint pain
- Back pain and some soft tissue injuries
- Decreased discomfort and inflammation after surgery
- Targeting painful gingivitis during dental procedures
- Supporting wound healing after infections
What a Session Looks Like
Why Class IV Veterinary Lasers Are Different
Post-Operative Care
Activity Restriction & Rest
Anesthesia Recovery: What to Expect in the First 24 Hours
Incision Monitoring & Wound Care
Pain Control & Medications
Appetite, Vomiting & Diarrhea
Bathroom Habits & Constipation
Sleep & Behavior Changes
Licking, Chewing & Protective Devices
When to Contact Us
Pet Support Devices and Products
Mobility Support for Dogs
Help 'Em Up Harness
Bulk Yoga Mats
One of the simplest and most effective ways to support dogs on slippery flooring. Provide excellent traction on hardwood, tile, and laminate floors. They are washable, cost-effective, and far less frustrating for dogs than boots or socks.
Raised Feeders
Dr. Buzby's ToeGrips
Exercise, Strengthening & Surgical Support
FitBone
E-Collars
Surgical Suits
No Flap Ear Wrap
Limb Injury & Wound Support
DogLeggs
MediPaw Boots
Vision Loss Support
Walkin' Pets Halo
For dogs experiencing vision loss, the halo acts as a gentle buffer, preventing face and shoulder collisions while dogs learn to navigate their environment safely. Many dogs regain confidence and independence as they adjust to vision changes.
Additional Services
Bedford Animal Hospital is committed to helping pets and their owners throughout Hillsborough County and the Manchester, NH, region. As part of our commitment, we offer a diverse range of veterinary services to support animals in all stages of life, including:
- Hospice
- Euthanasia Services
- Microchipping
- Pain Management
Bedford Animal Hospital
33 Old Bedford Rd
Bedford, NH 03110
Business Hours
Monday & Tuesday 8 AM ‒ 6 PM
Wednesday-Friday 8 AM ‒ 6 PM
Saturday ‒ Sunday Closed